Exploration of geologic processes that shape our dynamic planet and how they interact as a system. Topics include plate tectonics, deep time, climate, volcanoes, earthquakes, streams and groundwater, glaciers, natural resources, and the interactions between geologic processes and human populations. The class emphasizes both global systems and the geology of southern Wisconsin. We focus on using scientific methods to decipher complex interactive processes and developing skills for observation and analysis in the field and laboratory. One Saturday or Sunday field trip. Students who have credit for Geology 110 may not take this course for credit. (4U) Offered yearly.

Examination of a wide variety of scientific tools and datasets allows us to reconstruct the history of the Earth. Information from rock associations, fossils, stratigraphic correlations, geochemistry, and radioactive-age determinations forms a logical picture of the co-evolution of the Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The human dimension of historical geology is revealed in tracing the development of the concept of time, and through discussions of the rate and magnitude of human-induced environmental change. Lecture, discussion, laboratory, field study. One Saturday or Sunday field trip. (4U) Offered yearly.

Application of geologic principles to help in understanding the response of our environment to natural and anthropogenic forces of change, and proper constraints we should exercise in being good stewards of the Earth. Natural resources (water, soils, climate, and energy), flooding, volcanic activity, and earthquakes are among the topics considered, with emphasis on current events. Lecture, discussion, laboratory, field study. One Saturday or Sunday field trip. (4U) Offered yearly.

The geology, geography, history, and environment of a region to be studied during an extended field excursion. A student may take the seminar for credit more than once. Graded credit/no credit at discretion of instructor. There is an additional fee associated with this course. Offered yearly. Prerequisite or co-requisite: Geology 100 or 105 or 110 or 115 or with permission of instructor. This course is a prerequisite for the May Field Excursion (Geology 172).

The geology, geography, history, and environment of a region to be studied during an extended field excursion. A student may take the excursion for credit more than once. Graded credit/no credit at discretion of instructor. There is an additional fee associated with this course. Offered yearly. Prerequisite or co-requisite: Geology 100 or 105 or 110 or 115 or with permission of instructor, and Geology 171 in the semester preceding the excursion.

The study of minerals, including their composition, properties, occurrence, and classification. Lectures and laboratory include discussion of basic crystallography and crystal chemistry, and introduction to optical mineralogy and the properties and occurrences of common rock-forming minerals. Lecture, laboratory, field study. One four-day field trip during fall break. (4U) Offered each fall. Prerequisite or co-requisite: Geology 100, 105, 110 or Chemistry 220.

The study of rocks, including their composition, classification, and tectonic setting. Lectures and laboratory focus on the processes that control the formation of rocks in the context of plate tectonics and planetary evolution. Lecture, laboratory, field study. Offered alternate spring semesters. Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 110, and 200.

The history of life from its origins to the present. The preservation, distribution, and identification of invertebrate fossils as well as selected vertebrate and plant fossils. Competing evolutionary theories are evaluated in the perspective of geologic time. Fossils are studied as once-living organisms that were adapting to changing environments and part of a biological community. Lecture, discussion, laboratory, and field study. One weekend field trip. (Also listed as Biology 210.) Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 100, 105, or 110 or Anthropology 120 or 1 course in Biology.

Techniques of collecting, recording, and presenting geologic data; use of surveying techniques, the Brunton compass, GPS and GIS, and hydrologic field methods; interpretation of data as plotted on maps and sections. Field observations and measurements are synthesized with maps and cross-sections in written and oral reports. Lecture, laboratory, field study. (4U) Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Previous orconcurrent 100-level geology course highly recommended.

Mechanical principles applied to folds, faults, joints, igneous plutons, and secondary structural features of the Earth. Laboratory study of deformative processes by models and experiments, and analysis of structures by graphical, mathematical, and computer techniques. Lecture, laboratory, field study. One Saturday or Sunday field trip. Offered alternate spring semesters. Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 110 and 200.

Students learn about the origin, distribution, deposition, and lithification of common rock-forming sediments. Lithologic knowledge is combined with fossil and geochemical data to interpret depositional age and environment. Principles of stratigraphy are used to correlate surface/subsurface sedimentological data and construct cross-sections. Sedimentologic and stratigraphic concepts are utilized to analyze depositional basins. Students learn course concepts through lectures, laboratories, and field work. One weekend field trip. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: previous or concurrent 100-level geology course highly recommended.

This course focuses on the origin and development of landforms created by fluvial, glacial, eolian, and karst processes. In addition, the relationships of landforms to underlying geologic structures and the history of geologic and climate changes as recorded by surface features are explored. Landscapes and surface processes are analyzed using air photos and topographic maps as well as field-mapping techniques and geographic information systems. One Saturday or Sunday field trip. (4U) Offered alternate fall semesters. Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 110.

An introduction to the components of the hydrologic cycle with an emphasis on the movement of water through geologic media. Field-monitoring methods and analysis of hydrogeologic data through graphical, mathematical, and computer-modeling techniques. Applications to issues of water quality, water supply, and water resources management. Lecture, laboratory, field study. One Saturday or Sunday field trip. Offered alternate spring semesters. Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 110; Mathematics 110 or 115 highly recommended.

Students gain an understanding of natural climate variability over Earth’s history, including rates and magnitude of change, and the mechanisms driving these changes. Knowledge of past climate states and changes is then used to interpret current anthropogenic climate change and extrapolate future climate scenarios. Social, economic, and natural resource use (critical minerals and water) implications of climate change are discussed. Students study past climate using data collected from rocks, sediments, ice sheets, tree rings, and fossils. Offered alternate years. Prerequisites: any 100-level geology, biology, or chemistry course, or by consent of the instructor. (Also taught as Environmental Studies 245)

Topics of current interest or of special importance in the field of geology chosen to take advantage of the expertise of either the regular faculty or of visiting lecturers. Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: dependent upon subject matter.

Topics of current interest or of special importance in the field of geology chosen to take advantage of the expertise of either the regular faculty or of visiting lecturers. Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: dependent upon subject matter.

The structural and chemical evolution of the continental lithosphere from the Archean to present. Lectures and laboratory focus on the kinematics of plate motions, continental growth, geochronology, geo­thermobarometry, and thermal modeling. Mountain belts from Earth, Venus, and Mars are used as case studies. Basic computer and mathematical skills are expected. Offered occasionally. Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 110 and 200; Geology 105 recommended.

Individual field and/or laboratory research problems in geology. May be elected by the student in consultation with the department chair and staff members either during the regular school year or during the vacation periods. Research programs may lead to consideration for the Walter S. Haven prizes in geology. (CP) Prerequisite: sophomore standing and consent of the faculty supervisor and department chair.

Individual study under faculty supervision; evaluation based on appropriate evidence of achievement. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Work with faculty in classroom instruction. Graded credit/no credit.